The Columbia River Valley in the Canadian Rockies is home to many popular destination towns offering great year-round activities from skiing to hiking, enjoying the lakes and rivers, and the interesting attractions of the towns themselves.
At the head of Windermere Lake, between Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs, is the community of Invermere (sometimes known as Invermere on the Lake). This is one of those popular towns, tucked between the Rocky and Purcell Mountains and surrounded by soaring peaks, wetlands, lush forests, and glittering waters.
Invermere is a great place to ski, golf, see North America’s longest continuous wetland, or visit a host of unique businesses, like the nationally recognized Kicking Horse Coffee.
Things to Do in Invermere
Being on the shores of Lake Windermere, many of the activities enjoyed in Invermere revolve around the water. Kinsmen Beach is a popular spot for sunbathing and swimming, and the takeoff spot for the longest ice-skating trail in the world known as the Lake Windermere Whiteway which winds its way down the lake for almost 30 kilometers.
Other winter activities include skiing (especially at the nearby Panorama Resort), snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Staying in town is another option, enjoying the many galleries, restaurants, cafes, and stores selling gifts, crafts, and artwork.
Activities and entertainment abound in the summer and later in the fall months as well, including beach days, boating, golfing, fishing, and hiking. There are a number of cultural sites and events to enjoy, like the Windermere Valley Pioneer Museum and Pynelogs Cultural Centre, and Invermere MusicFest in August.
Here are some other places to check out in and around Invermere:
- Painted Aspen Studio Gallery
- The Artym Gallery
- Effusion Art Gallery
- Black Star Studios
- Bavin Glassworks
- Kicking Horse Coffee
Where To Stay In and Around Invermere
If you’re visiting Invermere, the easiest way to get there is via Banff from the east and Calgary, or from the south via Cranbrook or the Canadian Rockies International Airport (AKA Cranbrook Airport). You can also come from the north via Rogers Pass (through Glacier National Park) and down through the Columbia River Valley.
There are of course many towns along these routes to visit or stay in, like Golden, Banff, and Radium Hot Springs. If you’re looking to stay in or around Invermere itself, take a look at one of these accommodation options:
- Invermere Inn & Suites - For stylish rooms and an excellent restaurant in the heart of Invermere.
- Panorama Mountain Resort - Just west of Invermere this resort has excellent facilities including a golf course and ski runs.
- Lake Windermere Pointe Condos - Vacation rentals with pool, hot tub, and fitness centre.
- Copper Point Resort - Golf course views and luxury accommodation.
- Canterbury Inn - In central Invermere for an easy and convenient stay.
There are many other resorts in the wider area, like Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Golfing
Invermere is a paradise for golfers, home to the Columbia Valley Golf Trail which includes
- Copper Point Golf Club
- Eagle Ranch Golf Course
- Windermere Valley Golf Course
And all of these are just a few minutes from the center of Invermere.
Slightly further afield there are courses like Greywolf Golf Course at the Panorama Resort to the west, as well as others all along the valley and by towns like Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs.
Read more about Invermere and view the most current Invermere real estate listings.
Posted by Scott Sauermann on
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